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by South UniversityFebruary 14, 2014 http://www.southuniversity.edu/whoweare/newsroom/blog/surprising-health-benefits-of-being-in-love

There are many different ways to improve your health. Some people eat healthier meals, others exercise — but did you know that Valentine's Day offers a few health benefits of its own? Turns out that falling in love isn't just a good feeling, it's also good for you. Here are a few of the physical and mental health benefits that you'll gain by falling in love.

Love is Heart Smart! If you're looking for a way to boost your heart health, add a dose of love to your health routine. According to Woman's Day, human beings are social animals who have biological drives that make them want to be in a relationship. Achieving the end goal automatically boosts happiness, which in turn improves your cardiovascular health. On the other hand, those who aren't in happy relationships suffer from a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

It Keeps Away the Common Cold -- Clear away those pesky cold germs by catching the 'love bug'. Vitamin C, alicin and Zinc have all been proven to significantly boost your immune system, but experts recently discovered that being in love can help as well. People who rarely fight with their partner have stronger immune system functions than those who are in unhappy relationships.

Viva La Amor — If you want a longer life, Huffington Post says to fall in love! According to a study cited by Huffington, married couples benefited from a 15 percent lower premature death rate than those who were unmarried. It should be noted however that these are happily married couples and not quarreling lovers.

Love Can Increase Positivity— The first step to changing your life for the better is to completely transform the way you think about life. People who are pessimistic tend to have a poor outlook on life, so they lose motivation to change. However, those who are optimistic benefit from improved motivation, drive and stamina. According to Self magazine, couples who are in love can greatly affect each other's healthy choices by boosting optimism. In fact, they cited a finding by Psychology Today that states if one person in a happy relationship decides to stop smoking, the other partner was five times more likely to quit as well.

So, there you have it. Love is truly the gift that keeps on giving! This Valentine's Day gift your sweetheart with improved health, a stronger heart, a longer life and a better outlook on life by simply expressing your love. No matter how you choose to show them, know that a little love goes a long way!